To achieve our highest purpose we need to be connected to the right source

There was a time when I was ahead of the curve in using technology. I got my first personal computer back in 1982. It was a CP/M model that my pastor had been using in ministry. Rev. Brooks saw the advantages of the computer long before many of his colleagues did. He told me that this was going to change the way we do ministry in the future.

I was heading off to seminary and he had just upgraded to an IBM PC. Like you might do with an old pair of shoes, he passed his old computer down to me. I didn't waste any time finding ways to use it. I typed all my term papers on that computer and later began using it for my sermons. My wife's grandmother thought I was cheating. She thought the computer was doing all the work.

Little did any of us know that she would be prophetic. With the development of Google and other search engines, all of us would soon have a world of knowledge at our fingertips. Biblical commentaries, thousands of sermon prompts and exegetical resources were only a click away. Today people are reading newspapers, magazines and books online. Who would have guessed? Grandma Aspinall: That's who!

Technology is everywhere today. I remember buying my first Garmin. It was a stand-alone navigational device. Developed in 1989 and sold broadly, by 1995 it virtually replaced the road map as a favorite of many travelers. I used mine on many trips and always arrived safely at my destination thanks to the little voice giving me directions along the way.

Today you no longer need a Garmin. You can access a navigation system on your phone or in the car. If you don't have a car with a built-in system, you can hook up your phone and access it on the screen on your dashboard. I wanted to show off while traveling this week. I pulled up the map on my phone and connected it to the car with my USB cord and ta-da, we were in business.

I disconnected the phone when we stopped to get supplies. As we got going again, I waited for the GPS to fire up. I got nothing. I played with the connections. No matter what I did I couldn't get the connection to work. I gave up. I figured that it had been dumb luck that allowed me to connect earlier. Then Randy noticed that the cord I was using was not the one plugged into the car's system.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, "I am the vine; You are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing." It is a reminder that in order to achieve our highest purpose we need to be connected to the right source. We have that source in Christ. He gives us the power to expand and multiply our own efforts. The Apostle Paul was right. In him we can do all things.

When we intentionally start our day by inviting Jesus to lead the way, amazing things happen. Connections are made. Our feet are directed in ways that lead us to people and situations where we can glorify God. It is no coincidence that when we are plugged into Christ, we often have our best days and feel like we are right on track. We are witnessing that firsthand this week while on a mission trip.

Are you missing a connection? The good news is that you can tap into that Holy Guidance system every day. Check your source. Make sure you are plugged into the one who made you and created you to live life to the fullest. You will never get lost if you do that.

God bless! See you in church.

The Rev. Cal Lord is the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Westerly. Reach him at calstigers@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Be connected to the right source to achieve highest purpose: Cal Lord